What's involved
What this repair actually is.
Power steering fluid breaks down and picks up wear debris over time, which grinds away at pump vanes and rack seals. We remove the old fluid, refill with the exact fluid type your vehicle specifies, and cycle the system to purge air — cheap insurance for the two most expensive parts in the system.
Symptoms
How you can tell.
- Fluid in the reservoir looks dark brown or black
- Whining or groaning when turning
- Steering feels slightly stiff or notchy
- It's been 50,000+ miles with no fluid service
- Fluid smells burnt
If you delay
Oxidized fluid wears out the pump and rack seals, turning a cheap service into an expensive repair.
Educational estimate. Real pricing depends on your vehicle, the inspection, parts availability, taxes, and shop rates. Use this as a guide while you shop quotes.